Homeowners will be offered grants of up to $25,000 under a federal government plan to prop up the construction sector during the Covid-19 downturn. The "HomeBuilder" scheme is designed to help those building a new home or undertaking substantial renovations.…

Hobart's much-loved Festival of Voices is moving online for this year, as a result of coronavirus restrictions on gatherings. Jackie Wilson's 1967 classic 'Higher and Higher' will be used for The Big Sing, normally conducted around a campfire in Salamanca.…

Peter Gutwein's early mark on easing Stage 2 restrictions from Friday afternoon is being broadly welcomed. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says businesses are breathing a sigh of relief at the news. "The Premier has listened to the business…

Restrictions on visitations at Tasmanian hospitals will be eased from Monday. It comes as the state notches up a 14th straight day of no new confirmed coronavirus cases, leaving our tally at 226 with only 6 active infections - 2 of those in hospital but not…

The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, measures and impacts as of 0730 AEST May 27. CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS * Australia has recorded 7133 cases. There are 478 active cases. SA has recorded its first case in three weeks while the ACT and NT have no active cases. *…

The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, measures and impacts as of 0730 AEST May 26. CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS * Australia has recorded 7118 cases. There are 485 active cases. SA, ACT and NT have no active cases. * The national death toll is 102 - NSW 50, Victoria…

The number of active Covid-19 cases in Tasmania dropped back into the single figures for the first time since mid-March on Tuesday. Health department figures list 8 active cases remaining in Tasmania's northwest, after the north followed the south in…

Tests of hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients have been halted following a recent report that the anti-malarial drug could increase the mortality in coronavirus patients, the World Health Organisation says. The tests were part of the WHO-led international…

The NSW government is urging anyone feeling unwell with even the mildest of symptoms to get tested for COVID-19 in an attempt to rapidly identify community transmission. Premier Gladys Berejiklian says early testing is crucial as people begin to move around…

Australians weren't just stockpiling toilet paper during the COVID-19 crisis - they have also been hoarding crisp new banknotes. While consumer spending has fallen after the panic-buying splurge in March, and many retailers are refusing cash payments for…

Another major event in Tasmania has been cancelled due to coronavirus. Organisers of the Cygnet Folk Festival in the state's south say the 6000 attendees brought to the township every January posed an "unacceptable health risk". It was also thought the basic…

Tasmania has now gone 8 days without recording a new case of coronavirus. As of 12pm Sunday, there were only 11 active cases across the state: 10 from the North West and 1 from the North. Nearly 25,000 COVID-19 tests have been carried out here, but the state…

A decision is imminent on whether there'll be a one-off cancellation of the Taste of Tasmania. Due to doubts over the future for large gatherings because of coronavirus and crashing revenue, Hobart City Council staff advice is to drop the summer spectacle…

Tasmanian councils will share in over $16 million from the federal government to upgrade local roads and infrastructure in the post-COVID-19 economy. Canberra is injecting $500 million into local government coffers as part of the new Local Road and Community…

Tasmania Police are now able to dish out on-the-spot fines for those flouting pandemic restrictions. Previously, flagrant offenders could only be arrested or issued with a court summons. Police, ADF and SES personnel have been busy conducting 13,400…

The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, measures and impacts as of 0730 AEST on May 21. CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS * Australia has recorded 7079 cases, with only 635 active cases remaining. SA and the ACT have no active cases, the NT has one. * The national death…

The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, measures and impacts as of 0730 AEST on May 20. CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS * Australia has recorded about 7068 cases, with under 700 active cases. * The national death toll is 100 - NSW 49, Victoria 18, Tasmania 13, WA 9,…

NSW residents will be able to head to the state's regions for holidays in less than a fortnight under a relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday announced recreational regional travel within the state will be allowed…

Queensland will spend billions of dollars to revive the state's ailing economy and get people back into work following the coronavirus lockdown. The stimulus package, including $400 million for roads, bridges and footpaths, was announced in Parliament House…

There are tentative signs children may not spread the novel coronavirus as much as adults, two top epidemiologists say. However they said the bad news was that human immunity may not last that long. As many countries start to return to work after lockdowns…